Voted Best
ISSUE NO. 1800
2 - 8 January 2020
Newspaper in Spain 2017 & 2018
COSTA DEL SOL
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
HONOURED
Charity and Community Worker, Dr Charles Betty, is among nine UK nationals in Spain named in the New Year Honours List. DR CHARLES BETTY, formally retired, but still a very active Charity and Community Worker, has been awarded an MBE for services to British Nationals Overseas in the New Year Honours List, published on Friday December 27, 2019. Charles Betty served as a Corporal in the Welsh Fusiliers and participated in the D-Day Landings. On returning to the UK, he trained as a teacher and served as a schools inspector into retirement. After moving to Spain he became an active volunteer, cofounding Age Care and establishing a volunteer interpreter service in his local health centre to help older British people having problems communicating with medical staff. This service has now expanded along the Costa del Sol. At the age of 95, he continues to contribute to the Embassy and Consulates’ understanding
DR CHARLES BETTY: Has been awarded an MBE. of the needs of older British people in Spain. He was recently awarded the distinguished French Legion D’Honneur medal for services in the Second World War. HMA Hugh Elliott said: “It is extraordinary to see nine British nationals awarded at the same time - a real testament to the depth and diversity
of the UK-Spain relationship and to the contribution that so many British nationals make to their communities across Spain. Charles is a true public servant. “At the same time as being his wife’s main carer, he set up two services to help older British nationals integrate into their communities and enjoy a successful retirement in Spain.
The nine UK nationals named in the New Year Honours List are: • An MBE to Mr Mark Petrie, Honorary Consul, Denia, Spain. ‘For services to British Nationals Overseas.’ • An MBE to Dr Charles Betty, Charity and Community Worker in Spain; retired. ‘For services to British Nationals Overseas.’ • An MBE to Mr Christopher Mark Dottie, President, British Chamber of Commerce, Spain. ‘For services to British business in Spain.’ • A British Empire Medal (BEM) to Mrs Christine (Krista) Ann Hyer, President, Cancer support Group, Mallorca. ‘For services to the British Nationals Overseas.’ • A BEM to Mr Brian Thomas McLeod, Entertainer, Spain. ‘For services to charity.’ • A BEM to Mrs Betty Burgess, volunteer, Las Palmas, Spain. ‘For services to British Nationals Overseas.’ • A BEM to Mrs Maureen Payne, President, Age Concern, Costa Blanca Sur, Alicante, Spain. ‘For services to British Nationals Overseas.’ • A BEM to Mrs Sheila Stuart, Chairperson, British Ladies Association, Madrid, Spain. ‘For services to British Nationals Overseas.’ • A BEM to Mrs Veronica Wheeler, President, British Benevolent Association of Girona, Spain. ‘For services to British Nationals Overseas.’
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He has seemingly endless reserves of energy - alongside his volunteering work, he has gained a PhD with a thesis on the Return Migration of Older British Residents in Spain, offering valuable insight for the UK and Spain alike.” Charles Betty said: “The award of an MBE came out of the blue. I never expected that I would receive such an honour. I am humble, but pleased to receive it. I have been fortunate to have the support of my family, and especially my wife who, although now no longer with me, used to say ‘Charles you can and you will.’ “I hope to be able to carry on my work with Age Care Association of which I was a cofounder. It has been a privilege to help fellow ex-pats whenever I can and I will continue to do so.”
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